Red, White & BOOM! to offer area’s largest July 4th celebration
By DREW WINCHESTER, dwinchester@breezenewspapers.comFact Box
To go
Who: Chamber of Commerce
of Cape Coral; city of Cape Coral; various sponsors
What: Red, White & BOOM!
presented by Saturn of Cape Coral
When: Saturday, July 4, 4-10 p.m.
Where: At the foot of the
Cape Coral Bridge
Cost: $1 per person
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To go
What
All American Picnic
When
July 4th, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Where
Cape Harbour Yacht Club
For more info
Call 945-6116
There's no shortage of entertainment on the Fourth of July in Cape Coral. Two events highlight our nation's birthday, with fireworks, music, food, free stuff, and tons of fun.
The biggest event in the Cape, if not all of Southwest Florida, is Red, White & BOOM!.
Held at the foot of the Cape Coral Bridge, BOOM! has become the defacto Fourth of July celebration, entertaining Cape residents for 20 years.
A slight change this year is a small admission fee of $1 per person, but organizers are hoping the fee won't scare families away.
"The dollar more or less covers police and fire presence," said fireworks captain Tim Hauck. "But there's a lot of entertainment for buck."
Starting at 4 p.m., BOOM! kicks into high gear with live music, food vendors, free ride for the kids, and of course, fireworks!
Hauck said to expect the same extravagant show in past years. Crews will begin working on Friday morning to set up the fireworks, which will run up to 25 minutes and feature "10-inch" shells.
Hauck just hopes people remember the true meaning of the Fourth while they watch the colorful explosions.
"I hope people remember the true meaning of the day, and think about why we do have our independence and remember those who are fighting," Hauck said. "Sometimes we lose sight of it, but it's the reason we have our freedom."
The event is also hosted by the city of Cape Coral. This year's title sponsor is Saturn.
Though not quite as old as BOOM!, the folks at Cape Harbour have been going about developing a newer tradition.
Held the morning of the Fourth before Red, White & BOOM!, Cape Harbour's All American Picnic, now entering its third year, gives people the chance to kick off their holiday in style.
Featuring live music, food, tributes to soldiers, banana split eating contest, and a Patriotic Pet Contest featuring WINK NEWS anchor Lois Thome.
The pet contest has become a favorite during the three-year run. Event Coordinator Glenda Swager said all kinds of pet are welcome, though they mostly receive dogs.
"They can bring any pet, though we most of the time people bring their dogs," Swager said. "But we did have a rabbit one year."
The event's main focus, however, is for the troops fighting overseas. Swager said there will be plenty of opportunities to help out our troops, including donating money to help send shoe boxes filled with stuff troops are asking for.
Most importantly, people will be able to experience everything at both the All American Picnic and Red, White & BOOM!, to have a great holiday weekend.
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Sushanna
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07-04-09 11:44 PM
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Scrutiny ...your a joke .So don't go past the barrier and pay the Fee ..And as someone said it is nice people cant take the family out and feel safe ..You never know when you may need an Officer or anyone in a uniform .We get to celebrate this day because of people in uniform and a lot of people are away from family right now serving this country who would have loved to be able to spend this day at home with loved one's.It is true what they say "Freedom isn't Free "so this yr it cost us $1.00.. I am sure the men in Uniform tonight would rather have spent the time with family but they had to work ..
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Caripel
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07-04-09 3:51 PM
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Are people seriously complaining about ONE dollar? Coming from someone who is not rich, I don't mind the fee for my teenage children and myself to go somewhere safe for this holiday.
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Robert01
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07-04-09 2:51 PM
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Beware the CCPD will set up DUI check points like they did after the Blues and Jazz night. They advertise come ride the trolleys, visit all the bars, drink and enjoy the music. I won't go to any down town activiites becasue of the hassle of just going through a check point. I'm not a drinker but having to go through their checking is upsetting to me.
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AccountOne
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07-04-09 10:23 AM
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Scrutiny you are an idiot.... The Chamber is reimbursing the city because it is the right thing to do. The city never asked to be paid back this is the community leaders trying to help offset an expense in the city budget. Please just stay home tonight.
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Bren1973
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07-03-09 3:15 PM
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This sounds like a great event and I plan to attend for the first time. $1 is a small price to pay for adequate police and fire protection for the event. In a time where many cities have had to cancel these events I am glad Cape Coral is doing it. For the negative people - stay home. We won't miss you.
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scrutiny
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07-03-09 11:18 AM
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Our dimwitted city officials once again prove they care only for their campaign contributors and not the struggling families of our city. Everyone who has helped in the past volunteered their time. I guess Cape Coral's men in blue need the extra for donuts because it certainly won't be spent on physical fitness or education. It would serve them right if nobody showed up to pay their $1 ransom and instead watched it from their backyards!
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